[robfen]

https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/...rt/first-drive

looks great here!

https://www.cobra-suspension.com/gal...g-springs.html

[pantheon]

Does anyone know if it has acoustic/double-layered glass? And do the comfort seats come with a massage function.

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by pantheon

Does anyone know if it has acoustic/double-layered glass? And do the comfort seats come with a massage function.

My understanding is that there is no massage function or double-layered glass.

[Kelig]

This might be the first POV drive ever of the 550e :

[robfen]

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by robfen

Nice color!

[X5 45e]

I was doing some reading and quite some problems with the X5 50e. Motor management problems. Very long thread on the x5 forum. Is this specific for the X5? Or has it been addressed? Don’t see any on the 750e but probably they are sold much less.

After 2 years of driving a unreliable Taycan I want something I can trust. I didn’t have any problems with my x5 45e.

Panamera hybrid seems to have problems too. And it is much more expensive.

[robfen]

I can only say mine has been perfect so far..

[Ossian]

Originally Posted by X5 45e

I was doing some reading and quite some problems with the X5 50e. Motor management problems. Very long thread on the x5 forum. Is this specific for the X5? Or has it been addressed? Don’t see any on the 750e but probably they are sold much less.

After 2 years of driving a unreliable Taycan I want something I can trust. I didn’t have any problems with my x5 45e.

Panamera hybrid seems to have problems too. And it is much more expensive.

I'm still trying to figure out if the 550e shares the exact power train with the X5 50e -- guessing it does. As I've posted elsewhere, our 50e was in the shop for over a month with the CEL issue, and my 530e had a complete failure of the hybrid system in the first year that I owned it. There's no way to truly quantify how widespread a problem this is, but it is certainly not isolated. It's hard not to expect that the 550e will share problems with the 50e. It's a shame because that power train is so good, and I love the flexibility of a PHEV with 40 miles pure EV range. I was starting to look at some of the new Mercedes models, but their PHEV systems look even more complex! Beginning to think I'll switch back to a pure ICE vehicle for a few years to see where these transitional technologies settle out.

[PsychDoc]

Originally Posted by Ossian

I'm still trying to figure out if the 550e shares the exact power train with the X5 50e -- guessing it does. As I've posted elsewhere, our 50e was in the shop for over a month with the CEL issue, and my 530e had a complete failure of the hybrid system in the first year that I owned it. There's no way to truly quantify how widespread a problem this is, but it is certainly not isolated. It's hard not to expect that the 550e will share problems with the 50e. It's a shame because that power train is so good, and I love the flexibility of a PHEV with 40 miles pure EV range. I was starting to look at some of the new Mercedes models, but their PHEV systems look even more complex! Beginning to think I'll switch back to a pure ICE vehicle for a few years to see where these transitional technologies settle out.

I agree with your assessment 100%. Really wondering if these hybrid systems and pure EV systems are ready for prime time. Far too complex for my liking.

[RichardInCA]

Originally Posted by PsychDoc

I agree with your assessment 100%. Really wondering if these hybrid systems and pure EV systems are ready for prime time. Far too complex for my liking.

I can’t speak to the hybrid situation but what about the EV system is an issue here? I’ve had a flawless experience so far

[PsychDoc]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

I can’t speak to the hybrid situation but what about the EV system is an issue here? I’ve had a flawless experience so far

My concern about pure EV's is that these technologies are in their infancies and I think there will likely be massive improvements in battery technology and storage capacity over the next several years and I'd be wary to find that today's state of the art EV could be tomorrow's cassette tape in a world of high res CDs. Also the issue of charging availability and lack of standardization in EV chargers are an additional concern. I can see an EV in my future perhaps but right now there are too many question marks for me at least.

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by PsychDoc

My concern about pure EV's is that these technologies are in their infancies and I think there will likely be massive improvements in battery technology and storage capacity over the next several years and I'd be wary to find that today's state of the art EV could be tomorrow's cassette tape in a world of high res CDs. Also the issue of charging availability and lack of standardization in EV chargers are an additional concern. I can see an EV in my future perhaps but right now there are too many question marks for me at least.

That's the beauty of the amazing EV lease deals from BMW currently. Enjoy the current battery tech for three years and be ready for the next generation of technology in a few years. Charging infrastructure is a fair critique for those who like to take road trips and/or those who cannot have a charger at their residence. I'm not sure if EVs are in their infancy exactly. Maybe a young child or perhaps even a teenager. I would say things like hydrogen technology would be more of infancy.

[Scrapula]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

I can’t speak to the hybrid situation but what about the EV system is an issue here? I’ve had a flawless experience so far

EV systems are decidedly less complex than hybrids or ICE engines. It’s their simplicity and a reduction of moving parts. This causes less vibration, a smoother ride, and for me, a more pleasant driving experience.

The only downside is the lack of charging infrastructure. There needs to be as many charging stations as their are gas stations. For people who can’t charge at home, that sometimes means waiting in line for a free charger. If you can charge with little to no wait, then range is a complete non-issue.

[RichardInCA]

Originally Posted by PsychDoc

My concern about pure EV's is that these technologies are in their infancies and I think there will likely be massive improvements in battery technology and storage capacity over the next several years and I'd be wary to find that today's state of the art EV could be tomorrow's cassette tape in a world of high res CDs. Also the issue of charging availability and lack of standardization in EV chargers are an additional concern. I can see an EV in my future perhaps but right now there are too many question marks for me at least.

Understood - but there’s a difference between battery capacity/tech and whether the entire EV is ready for prime time. Honestly, I expect with Neue Klasse we’ll see a nice improvement in battery tech BUT…the real improvements will come from efficiency improvements too. That being said, I find my i5 to be incredibly capable and the actual mechanicals of the EV have been flawless. The blending between regenerative braking and mechanical braking is imperceptible. The throttle response is great and I consider this a solid product, not in anyway a beta version of some future car.

[Ossian]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

I can’t speak to the hybrid situation but what about the EV system is an issue here? I’ve had a flawless experience so far

I'd be far more confident going with an BEV vs. the PHEV -- it's the complexity of the German PHEV systems that seem to be their downfall. In my case, I still love having an ICE -- especially one as brilliant as the B58 -- and I'm not quite ready to give it up. That said, being able to do daily errands, commutes, etc and only fire up the ICE when I want to is ideal for me. I think I'm going to break down and test drive the I4 and the I5 M60 this weekend though, and see if they change my mind. Maybe I should just lease the I5 and buy an old Miata for weekend use on the twisties...

[tsbrown]

550e production for the US is supposed to start in July. Maybe that was later than it could have been so they could fix/improve whatever the known issues are.

[robfen]

https://driven.site/words/review-bmw-550e-2024-g60

[Dragonfly Trumpeter]

Originally Posted by robfen

https://driven.site/words/review-bmw-550e-2024-g60

Thanks for sharing. A pretty accurate review that is spoiled by the prominent 100k price headline. Yet everything referred to is standard and the only mention of the extras was the price. The review would likely have been the same for a tech packed, standard 550e msport xdrive with all the drive train, power, handling and comfort attributes covered.

But I suppose pointing out that it is available new for around 70k after dealer discount if you avoid ticking boxes is not dramatic and attention grabbing. Unlike comparing it to the price of a chocolate bar. 70k is still a lot of money but with a bit more perspective re what you get, it is decent and you could probably still afford the chocolate

[pantheon]

Autocar's 550e review: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/bmw/5-series

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by Dragonfly Trumpeter

Thanks for sharing. A pretty accurate review that is spoiled by the prominent 100k price headline. Yet everything referred to is standard and the only mention of the extras was the price. The review would likely have been the same for a tech packed, standard 550e msport xdrive with all the drive train, power, handling and comfort attributes covered.

But I suppose pointing out that it is available new for around 70k after dealer discount if you avoid ticking boxes is not dramatic and attention grabbing. Unlike comparing it to the price of a chocolate bar. 70k is still a lot of money but with a bit more perspective re what you get, it is decent and you could probably still afford the chocolate

I had to get halfway through the article before he stopped talking about how expensive it is and started on how great a drive it is. I know this is UK where you have slightly different inflation rates, but it's not totally different from the US. My 2nd E39, a MY2000 528i M sport purchased in November 1999 was $39k base and $47k with options. With inflation that converts to $73k base/$88k with options. My 2019 G30 540i from end of 2018 comes out to similar inflation adjusted numbers. Sure that sounds (and is) expensive but the G60 540i starts and options out less than that here in the US. So that makes the G60 a relative bargain. But that kind of headline doesn't get clicks.

[X5 45e]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

I had to get halfway through the article before he stopped talking about how expensive it is and started on how great a drive it is. I know this is UK where you have slightly different inflation rates, but it's not totally different from the US. My 2nd E39, a MY2000 528i M sport purchased in November 1999 was $39k base and $47k with options. With inflation that converts to $73k base/$88k with options. My 2019 G30 540i from end of 2018 comes out to similar inflation adjusted numbers. Sure that sounds (and is) expensive but the G60 540i starts and options out less than that here in the US. So that makes the G60 a relative bargain. But that kind of headline doesn't get clicks.

I guess it is all relative. Oké it is a lot of money. But it is 30 k less compared to my Taycan. It is cheaper than an x5 50e. It is the same price as an Merc E 300e with only 4 cylinders.

It has adaptive dampers, rear wheel steering and a lot more.

And if you don’t want to pay that much, they have a 530e.

For me the real competition is a Panamera PHEV which is 40 k more and even more if both are full optioned. Panamera does have an opening pano roof, not available for the g60.

Even a lot cheaper than the 750e which is 30 cm too be driven in Europe. At least for me. Can’t so how to park it in an underground parking.

So in that point of view maybe it can be considered a bargain !

I am having a test drive in a i5 60 with 20 inch wheels, adaptive M suspension and comfort seats to see if I like it and go for the 550e.

Would have to be a sedan. Like the look. Trunk seems big enough. Will need a roof box anyway for skiing. And the G61 isn’t available as 550e yet. Don’t know when it will be. But I don’t really like to wait. The sedan could be delivered in June.